Guwahati:
In a devastating incident that has highlighted the dangers of illegal mining, nine miners are trapped in a flooded coal mine in the Dima Hasao district of Assam. The mine, located in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, has been identified as an illegal operation by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. This tragic event has prompted a massive rescue operation involving navy divers, the Indian Army, and various emergency response teams.
The incident occurred on January 6 when a sudden flood trapped the miners inside the coal mine. Chief Minister Sarma has confirmed that the mine appears to be illegal, and an FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. One person, Punish Nunisa, has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Rescue operations have been ongoing since Monday, but the challenging conditions inside the mine have hindered progress. The water level has risen to nearly 100 feet, necessitating the involvement of navy deep divers from Visakhapatnam. A 35-member NDRF team, led by Commandant H P S Kandari, is at the forefront of the rescue efforts, supported by engineers, divers, and medical teams from the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles.
Two water pumping machines are being used to flush out the water, but the high water level and the complexity of the mine’s structure have made the rescue operation extremely difficult. So far, one body has been recovered, but the fate of the remaining miners remains uncertain.
The chief minister has listed the names of the trapped labourers: Ganga Bahadur Shreth, Hussain Ali, Jakir Hussain, Sarpa Barman, Mustafa Seikh, Khushi Mohan Rai, Sanjit Sarkar, Lijan Magar, and Sarat Goyary. Sarma has expressed his gratitude to the army for their quick response and assured that all possible efforts are being made to ensure the safe return of the miners.
The incident underscores the persistent issue of illegal and unregulated mining in Assam and other northeastern states of India. The coordination between civil administration, NDRF, SDRF, and other specialized teams continues as they work tirelessly to rescue the trapped miners.
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